xg$ TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



Many Mahometans came to the Angrab to meet the ca- 

 ravan. They all knew of my coming perfectly, and I foon 

 ■explained my fituation. I had Janni's letters to Negade Ras 

 Mahomet, the chief of the Moors at Gondar, and principal 

 merchant in Abyllinia, who was abfent likewife with the 

 army. But one of his brethren, a fagacious, open-hearied 

 man, defired me not to be difcouraged ; that, as I had not 

 put off my Moorilh drefs, I mould continue it; that a houfe 

 was provided for Mahomet Gibberti, and thofe that were 

 with him, and that he would put me immediately into pof- 

 feffion of it, where I might flay, free from any intercourfe 

 with thepriefts, till Petros or the Ras mould return to Gon- 

 dar. This advice I embraced with great readinefs, as there 

 was nothing I was fo much afraid of as an encounter with 

 fanatical priefls before I had obtained fome protection from 

 government, or the great people in the country. After ha- 

 ving concerted thefe meafures, I refigned myfelf to the di- 

 rection -of my Moorilh friend Hagi Saleh. 



We moved along the Angrab, having Gondar on our 

 right fituated upon a hill, and the river on our left, pro- 

 ceeding down till its junction with a fmaller ftream, called 

 the Kahha, that joins it at the Moorilh town. This fituation, 

 near running water, is always chofen by the Mahometans 

 on account of their frequent ablutions. The Moorim town 

 at Gondar may confifl of about 3000 houfes, fome of them 

 fpacious and good. I was put in poffeflion of a very neat 

 one, deilincd for Mahomet Gibberti. Flour, honey, and 

 fuch-like food, Mahometans and Chriftians eat promifcu- 

 oully, and fo far I was well fituated. As for flefh, although 

 there was abundance of it, 1 could not touch a bit of it, be- 

 ing killed by Mahometans, as that communion would have 

 2 been 



